Glazed Pitcher from Session #3 Class One

Remember wayyy back when? When I wrote about my first class of the new Pottery session. Yes, January 15th. Well ... that "pot" that I made that first night was FINALLY fired and I was able to bring it home! (See picture on right) As you can see, I went a little overboard on the glazing techniques. It looks like a multi-colored patchwork. I used Maple Sugar on the handle and on the back of the top by the handle. (see picture on the left) I used Grey Violet Mandy on the back rear and Neil's Blue Green on the front and cross-over. It looks a little motley but I made it with my bare hands. That's something. Overall, it has pretty decent form.
I can't believe that in 10 weeks all I have to show for it - is one small piece.
What a shame. Maybe I missed too many classes. Maybe I wasn't very productive this session. But my last class, Thursday, March 19th, I was very productive and three magnificant pieces. I wish that I was better after 3 full sessions (about 10-11 weeks per session). I'm getting there and I plan to keep at it as long as I can.
I also found a "lost" piece. Evidently I didn't put the class symbol (a square for Sunday night classes) on the bottom of my pot, so after it was "bisqued" the pottery assistants didn't know where to put it. So I glazed it last week and got to bring it home. See pics attached. The date on the bottom says 109. (See pics on the right.)

So I'm guessing that I made it in January? I glazed it with Black Lapis all over and used the aerator to make swirls in blue. It looks much cooler with the flash from the camera. (See picture on the left)

Session 3 comes to a close

Next Thursday will be my last session (for this session). The session ran for 10 weeks. I thought it was at least 11, but I was mistaken. I have learned a great deal this time around. I've learned how to wedge my clay properly by using a rolling "skull" technique that a substitute instructor, Laura taught me during my second week.
I've gotten a little better at centering and I have also become more brave about using more clay to make larger pieces.
I have not been so productive this time around. I've only thrown maybe 10 or so pieces.
I didn't take any pictures this time around, but last night I glazed at least three pieces and they should be interesting after they are fired.
Dick worked with me a lot last night on trimming. He taught me about how to make the rim of the bottom level (or flat as the wheel). I began to understand the importance of trimming and how I can improve the final touches of my pots by a good trimming techniques.
I am also more motivated to check out this creative clay shop that everyone keeps talking about off of Edsall Rd.
I've missed Peggy since she's been out of the country. She missed 3 weeks total. I also think that she registered for the Sunday class this time around and not the Thursday night. :(

My First Pot - which isn't really much of a pot

I am taking pottery classes at the Wakefield Recreation Center in Fairfax County. I just started my third 11 week session.
My first session began in the Summer of 2008. My first pot that I made isn't really much of a pot. It's teeny tiny small and is really only big enough to hold something the size of an egg. (click photo to enlarge)
I am still very proud of it ... and of course how much progress I have made since then. I have moved onto ... bowls ... lot and lots of bowls. I took two sessions (11 weeks per session) with Instructor Janet Adams on Sunday nights. As you can see, I did improve from the "egg holder". This is a bowl that I made. This picture was taken July 27, 2008 with my cell phone will I was working in class. I was pretty proud of how center this cylinder was! It is one of my very first pieces. (click photo to enlarge) I missed a few classes in November and December due to family events. I gave a lot of my pottery away to friends. Allie Cook got a round small bowl glazed in light green and blue. She now puts her big rings in it. For Christmas, everyone got pieces of pottery. My father got a medium sized bowl with blue crossover. Christa got my favorite "cup" piece that is done in black. My father-in-law got my one and only plate that I made. I liked it the most because of the glaze (dark blue and black) and the beautiful concentric circles in the middle. I need to post some pictures of these pieces.
My mother-in-law got my very best pitcher with a handle that I have ever made. My mother got a piece similar to Allie's (the colors anyways). These are the colors of my mom's gift and the bowl that I gave to Allie. I love the way that these colors compliment each other and the cross-over just comes out beautifully. I love this little pitcher! It's so perfect. Right now at home, it has three little blue marbles in it. (click photo to enlarge) This photo was taken with my cell phone while in pottery class, you can tell by the wooden table that the pitcher is sitting on, November 9, 2008. It was probably made in early to mid October 2008.
Another piece that is very uniquely mine is a small pumpkin that I made as a project in my class. This is a photo was taken on October 12, 2008 with my cell phone while still working on it in class. I took it because I was excited to show Ben what I had done in class that day. (click photo to enlarge) The finished product is truly amazing! Finished Pumpkin photo posted March 22, 2009) This is by far one of my best pieces! This bowl ... yes another bowl was made in October 2008. I like it so much because of the distinctive glaze cross-over using black and Neil's Green. The combination of the Black and the Green produced a beautiful speckled blue in the center. The pictures don't do it justice. (click to enlarge photo). I think overall I've had a very productive pottery year (2008). I am excited to continue taking the classes and improve my pottery throwing skills. I also plan to branch out and use more of a variety of glazes and techniques. I plan to continue to add the approximate dates on each piece as they are thrown, as well.
Only recently, beginning on January 15, 2009 did I decide to which to Thursday night classes with Instructor Dick White. So far, I am already seeing an improvement in my technical skills. Today I decided to keep a detailed log of my pieces. A lot of people write down all the details of the pieces that they throw. I have only done this sporadically. I plan to be more consistent in my journal keeping. I've created a table like log when I will journal, the date thrown, size and shape of the piece, date glazed, glazed and techniques used, and any notes about the piece that I may want to remember for the future. I think that keep the log will help me figure out what I like best, especially for glazing and help me to re-create some of the things that I do like best.